Police and housing chiefs in North Tyneside are urging people to pass on the addresses of bikers who tear up and down public footpaths.

Most of the machines are unregistered, unlicensed and often stolen and the riders fail to wear safety equipment.

The latest in a series of crackdowns comes a week after a man, 34, and his 10-year-old son were taken to hospital with fractures after being flung off their machine when it collided with another two riders on waste ground in Backworth.

North Shields housing manager Colin Boxshall said: "We are delivering a letter to around 400 homes on the New York and Moor Park estates in North Shields."

Anyone with information about where bikes are being kept can call North Tyneside housing management on (0191) 200 5294, Northumbria Police's A19 Unit on (0191) 2146555 extension 63082 or 63083, or the police 24-hour confidential information line 01661 863046.